📖 Title: Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing
✍🏻 Author: Stephen W. , PhD & Karen Onderko
📚 Genre: Non-Fiction | Mental Health
🏢 Publisher: Sounds True Publishing
🗓️ Release Date: April 22, 2025

💭 Initial Thoughts:
- As a social work student, I’m always looking for books that deepen my understanding of trauma so when I saw an ARC for a new Stephen Porges books, I knew it was a must read.
- Polyvagal Theory has become such a critical theory in trauma work so I was intrigued to learn about Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and how it can be used in trauma work.

📖 Description:
- Polyvagal Theory pioneer Dr. Stephen W. Porges and co-author, Karen Onderko introduce the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) which is a therapeutic intervention designed to support nervous system regulation through filtered music.
- Since SSP is grounded in Polyvagal Theory, it is able to help individuals foster a sense of safety, enabling genuine self-expression, improved social connection, and emotional resilience.

⚖️ Considerations:
- This resource explores the origins, best practices, and clinical applications of SSP, highlighting real-life stories and evidence demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing emotion dysregulation, sensory sensitivities, and conditions such as depression, addiction, autism, ADHD, trauma, and more.
- Although this book can be used by service users and service providers, it does lean more in a clinical tone. It is very informative, but some sections may feel dense for readers who are new to Polyvagal theory.
- This is a great read if you are looking for practical ways to integrate music into your practice as a way to regulate the nervous system.

⭐️Takeaways:
- I’m so appreciative of NetGalley and Sounds True Publishing for providing me with the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

Safe and Sound is an insightful and accessible look at Polyvagal Theory (PVT) and its practical applications, with a strong focus on the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). Written for professionals and everyday readers, the book explains how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) shapes our sense of safety, connection, and regulation. It then introduces practical tools for identifying nervous system states and shifting toward balance.

The writing is clear and engaging, blending technical depth with real-life case studies and anecdotes. The book moves naturally from theory to hands-on strategies, including a full chapter on recognizing vagal states and methods for self-regulation. For anyone interested in how the nervous system influences emotions and behavior, this structured approach is both informative and practical.

The emphasis on SSP is strong, sometimes feeling like a sales pitch, but the broader insights into nervous system regulation make up for it. The case studies add credibility, though accessibility and cost remain concerns. While some foundational information on PVT and ANS will be familiar to those already versed in the topic, the book’s organization and depth make it a valuable resource.

I appreciate NetGalley and Sounds True Publishing for the opportunity to read this early copy!

Porges and Undergo write a book about a different type of therapy know as the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). This therapy is based on the Polyvagal Theory and how SSP can help reset the nervous system. The first part of the book goes into the science behind SSP. The second part of the book was more interesting to me as it discussed case studies. Not only did you get an idea of what therapy a client had previously had used, but also how SSP helped them heal over time. This is a great book for anyone who is interested in expanding their therapy knowledge and trying other therapies for clients.

Thank you NetGalley and Sounds True Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am such an admirer of Stephen Porges and found this book to be an accessible yet thorough exploration of his Safe and Sound protocol. It's inspired me to sign up for training - I'm curious to see how this can benefit the populations I work with ... more specifically, kids who started off in the NICU and who have major sensory issues as a result. I'd recommend to any clinician curious about this method. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read it!

Safe and Sound is a groundbreaking exploration of how Polyvagal Theory and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) revolutionize our understanding of the nervous system and its profound impact on emotional and physical well-being. Dr. Stephen Porges and Karen Onderko present an accessible and transformative guide for anyone seeking to address challenges like anxiety, trauma, and emotional dysregulation. The book masterfully combines cutting-edge science with compelling case studies, illustrating how resetting the autonomic nervous system can lead to remarkable changes in health, resilience, and relationships. By highlighting the connection between safety and healing, it provides a roadmap for fostering self-regulation, social engagement, and personal growth. This isn't just a book for clinicians—it’s for anyone curious about unlocking the body’s innate capacity for healing through innovative tools like SSP. Rich with practical insights and deeply human stories, Safe and Sound is a must-read for those who wish to transform their lives from survival mode to a state of thriving connection. It’s an inspiring testament to the power of feeling safe and the possibilities that emerge when the nervous system is truly heard and supported.